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From Bishop Steve
Dear Ones,
This past Sunday I had the pleasure of visiting St Mark’s, LeRoy. (LeRoy is my home town, but I was Presbyterian back in the day.) The Rev. Kim Rossi has just begun there as priest in charge. In fact, it was her second Sunday.
I encountered in LeRoy what I so often encounter on my visits: a devoted, hard-working community with dedicated leaders who are deeply committed to their ministries. The worship is done well, with good music and sometimes vocalists or instrumentalists. The building looks good. Attention is being paid to necessary repairs and maintenance, even though it’s a struggle to find the money. And the worshiping community understands their mission field to be the whole community in which it resides. Food pantries, diaper ministries, and programs of all sorts are rooted in our parishes. St Mark’s has a special Christmas ministry called the Joy Ministry, a Christmas Wonderland open to the public.
The spirit of my visits is generally upbeat. Folks are happy to see the bishop, happy to feel connected with the larger church. Conversations with the Vestry or folks at coffee hour usually have some energy and, after some initial hesitation, we have a good exchange about the church and about life, death and the universe.
All this is to say that I experience a good bit of health and energy in our worshiping communities even as we all wrestle with a sense of separation and decline. The Holy Spirit is at work among us in our places. But our connective tissue is stretched and thin.
The feedback I’ve gotten about the Bishop Search Committee’s listening process has been quite positive. The Search Committee has heard from just about every worshiping community. People have expressed their upset and their concerns and have also expressed their appreciation for being respected and listened to. The experience of the Search Committee matches my own: people love their parishes and wish we were more connected.
From my perspective, I think these two messages provide the framework for our discernment of our next bishop. There are a lot of good things happening in our parishes. Yes, we are challenged by finances and attendance. Yes, we would like more people. But yes, there is also energy and hope. What we need is mutual support and aid, a sense that we are all in this together. Our next bishop needs to help us with the connective tissue, needs to be a regular presence in all our communities.
I also think we must begin to see ourselves – more and more – as a sort of Mutual Aid Society. WE are the Diocese. WE are part of the connective tissue. As we connect with each other the whole web of connection is strengthened. For example, one of our greatest needs right now is supply clergy. We simply don’t have enough players to cover all the bases on Sunday. So we’ve asked congregations if they would consider different worship times, and I’m asking the clergy if they would consider helping out with supply on an occasional basis. Both of these requests mean a change in behavior and a change in the traditional way of doing business. Yet, such change recognizes that we are the ones we are waiting for. We are the connective tissue that holds us together. How can you connect more closely with the larger church?
I look forward to seeing you soon.
Blessings in this Creation Season.
+Steve
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New York and Northern Freshwater Eco-Region
Welcome to the New York and Northern Freshwater Eco-Region! Whether you are deep in the weeds of Creation Care work or this is new to you - consider this an invitation to explore what God might be calling you to as we join in prayerful gathering and action across our beloved state and its waterways.
The Dioceses of Central New York, Rochester, Albany, and Western New York have come together to form the New York and Northern Freshwater Eco-Region! This Eco-Region is prioritizing climate justice, sustainability, and the right use of natural resources, with specific focus on the protection and care of Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal, the Finger Lakes, the Hudson River, Lake George, and the St. Lawrence, which sustain and enrich the lives of the people of this region. READ MORE
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YUM Kickoff
Youth United in Ministry (YUM) is kicking off the new season on September 20, 4-8pm, at St. Matthias' in East Aurora.
Then, on September 25-26, there will be a sleepover at the Diocesan Ministry Center from Friday 7pm until Saturday at noon. Bowling is included with the $25 cost.
ALL youth in grades 5-12 are invited to attend! For more information contact Wendy Schumacher, Missioner for Youth & Children
Join us on the BAND app for updates and to RSVP
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September EpiscoPints
Join the discussion with The Rev. Shawn Clerkin titled Faith & Art on Tuesday, September 22 at 7pm at Fattey's, Hamburg.
Bring your questions, bring a friend...just come as you are!
Clergy that are interested in leading a discussion at EpiscoPints should contact Wendy Schumacher.
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Church Cleaning
St. Patrick's in Cheektowaga is looking for a dependable individual to help keep our church and parish hall clean and welcoming. The position is approximately 2.5–3 hours per week at a rate of $25 per hour, paid biweekly.
If you are interested or would like more information about the position and responsibilities, please contact Kathy Parkhurst
Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone you think may be interested!
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Renewal of Ministry
Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Shawn Clerkin to St Mark's in Orchard Park on Saturday, October 10 at 11am with a Renewal of Ministry service.
All are invited to attend with a reception to follow. Clergy attending may vest in White or Festive.
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Letter from the Birmingham Jail:
If Martin Were Here Today
The WNY and NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination (CDRD), in partnership with St. Luke’s Commission to Dismantle Racism, invites you to a dramatic presentation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Presented by the Buffalo-based Typography of Women, the acclaimed 90-minute production brings the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s landmark letter to life through music, spirituals, narration, and a dramatic reading portrayed by a 1963 Dr King and a younger version of himself imagined as a civil rights leader of today.
The event is free and open to the public on Thursday, October 22. Doors open at 6:30pm with the performance at 7pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown. Light refreshments follow the performance.
REGISTER HERE
For anyone wishing to stay overnight, reduced rate rooms are available at the Doubletree, Jamestown until September 21. To book a room at the DoubleTree, click on the following link or call the hotel directly (716-488-7227) and mention WNY Diocesan Block to receive the group rate. You do not have to be a WNY Convention delegate to attend or book a room.
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Audits Due October 1st
A reminder that your financial audits are due no later than October 1st. Audit information is available on the diocesan website Finance & Audit Page
If you have any questions please call Maria Manocchio @ 716-881-0660 ext. 118
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Regional Confirmations
Regional confirmations have been scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 10:30am at St Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo.
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane (Bishop Provisional of WNY) is presiding.
Please refer to the diocese's REGIONAL CONFIRMATION CUSTOMARY for guidelines to participate.
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United Thank Offering 2027 Grants
The United Thank Offering Board announces the opening of its 2027 annual grants process, with a focus on projects that seek to connect churches, dioceses, and provinces with the unique needs of their local communities. Applicants for this round are asked to observe three deadlines to complete the process: December 4, January 8, and February 5.
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Dec. 4, by 5pm ET: For U.S. applicants, this is the deadline to submit a grant project proposal and audit to the Diocesan Office.
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Jan. 8, by 5pm ET: All applicants must submit draft documents by this date to proceed. These documents will be reviewed and feedback provided before the final submission deadline.
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Feb. 5, by 5pm ET: All completed documents must be submitted. Late submissions cannot be accepted. Only applicants who met the previous deadline will be able to submit final documents.
Last year, nearly $1 million in United Thank Offering grant funds supported 25 mission and ministry projects around the world.
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Weekend to End Homelessness
The New York State Council of Churches (NYSCOC) is partnering with the National Faith Coalition to End Homelessness to spread the word about “The Weekend to End Homelessness,” October 10–11, 2026.
Homelessness is rising in communities across America—in major cities, small towns, and rural communities alike. It has become one of the defining moral questions of our generation.
The faith community is already on the front lines of this crisis. Congregations feed the hungry, provide shelter, assist families facing eviction, and support ministries serving people experiencing homelessness. But too often, congregations are working in isolation—unaware that thousands of other faith communities are wrestling with the same challenges, facing similar barriers, and searching for effective ways to respond.
That is the vision behind the National Faith Coalition to End Homelessness: to bring faith communities together, equip them with the tools and support they need, and move the conversation beyond temporary relief toward the larger question: What would it take for us, as a society, to end homelessness altogether?
Join congregations across New York and the nation as we put our faith into action and begin working together toward a future where everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.
To sign up your congregation and receive the toolkit, FILL OUT THIS FORM!
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Continuing Education Opportunity
Stevenson School for Ministry
How American History Shaped the Episcopal Church
Wednesdays, 12:15-1:15pm ET
October 7 - 28
What are the key historical events that would help explain the history of the Episcopal Church in the United States? Join the Stevenson School for Ministry for a “crash course” in American history, looking at events that are often not discussed in regular U.S. history courses. The course will review these events, and each class will conclude with a brief explanation of how the Episcopal Church responded to these events. This is a fun way to discuss American history and to learn more about the history of the Episcopal Church. It is also a good opportunity to explore the value of knowing your history and the history of your community, and how our shared history is reflected in your own worshipping community. Register here!
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Episcopal News Service
Stay informed on everything in the wider Church by visiting and/or subscribing to the Episcopal News Service (ENS).
ENS WEBSITE
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Prayer for the Bishop Search
Gracious God, we give thanks for your loving care for the people of the Diocese of WNY and the members of the Bishop’s Search and Transition Committees. Give us wisdom and understanding as we discern your will. We
ask for the gifts of honesty, to speak the truth in love; openness to the gifts and ideas of others and to the Holy Spirit; and willingness, to see your Light shining among us and on the path ahead. Prepare for our Diocese a bishop who will be a faithful pastor, and equip us for the ministries to which we are
called in these changing times. Help us to love and serve your world and one another in the Spirit of Christ, trusting in you to be our steadfast helper and guide; let us pray to the Lord. AMEN.
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Name That Church?
How well do you know the congregations in WNY? Would you be able to name them, if you saw them?
Test your knowledge by naming the church shown, and then click on the photo to reveal the answer!
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Parish Cooperation
Katelyn Nicoloff
This past Saturday, St. Patrick’s (Cheektowaga) and Church of the Advent (Kenmore) reminded me how good it can be when our parishes work together.
Every year, St. Patrick's holds a Basket Raffle. It's one of our biggest fundraisers, and anyone who has ever helped with a basket raffle knows how much work goes into it long before the doors open. This year, some scheduling conflicts left us knowing that we weren't going to have enough people available to successfully run the day on our own. So we reached out to our sister parish, Church of the Advent, and asked for help.
They jumped in without hesitation. And by "help," I don't mean that a few people came over for a couple of hours on Saturday. Members of Advent donated items and several of our large prizes. They came to our basket-making nights and worked alongside us turning everything we had collected into baskets. They helped set up on Friday and came back Saturday to work the raffle. By the time the doors opened, we had 277 baskets and 12 large prizes ready to go.
At some point during all of this, we started noticing how much easier everything was. Setup, which normally takes us much longer, was finished in about half the time. READ MORE
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Creative Reuse of Church Space
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Olean will be among the featured sites at the 2026 Chusid Symposium on Place, an annual gathering exploring how communities are creatively using their physical spaces to strengthen community life.
The invitation comes in recognition of St. Stephen’s renovation and redevelopment of the Watson Center, an effort to reimagine church property as a resource not only for the congregation, but for the wider Olean community.
Hosted by the Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning, this year’s symposium will highlight sites across Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties where “diverse voices engage with economic development, heritage, climate resiliency and equity to recognize and build place and a sense of community.”
For St. Stephen’s, participation in the symposium offers an opportunity to share what the parish has learned through the Watson Center project—and perhaps to inspire other congregations wrestling with an increasingly important question: How might our church buildings serve the communities around them in new ways? READ MORE
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Estate Sale
St. John's-Grace, Buffalo - Are you looking for antiques? Collectibles? Household Treasurers? You are invited to attend our Estate Sale on September 18 (4-7pm) & September 19 (10am-4pm).
Everything must go!
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Every Child Matters
Good Shepherd, Irving - You are invited to join us on September 19 at 2:30pm in Remembering, Honoring, & Respecting Every Story.
A traditional meal will follow the program.
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CONCERT SERIES Begins
St. Mark's, Orchard Park - Join us September 20 at 4pm for the first concert of our 2026-27 series! Little cake (Ana Vafai) is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter known for exhibiting an engaging stage presence with impassioned stylings at the piano. Her theatrical and heartfelt singing and tender, virtuosic accompaniments glide through melodies that will remain in your head forever. The lyrics tell stories of personal discoveries, fantastic tales and provide an hysterical commentary on our surroundings.
RSVP at the Facebook Event Page. Suggested donation for each concert is $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds).
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Season of Creation at Orchard Park
St. Mark's, Orchard Park - You are invited to an alternative outdoor service at "Potter Park" behind the church on September 20 at 5pm. See flyer for future dates & times.
The services will have Celtic Music and Holy Communion each week.
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Community Hot Dog Cookout
St. James, Batavia - Join us for a free community cookout on September 20 at 1pm.
Free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and community connection!
Bring a friend, bring and lawn chair, and come hungry
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Great Music at Calvary
Calvary, Williamsville - On September 20 at 4pm, Calvary will open its 2026- 2027 season of Great Music at Calvary. The well-loved service of choral Evensong, featuring the Calvary choir directed by Roland E. Martin (Calvary's Director of Music) will present anthems, hymns, a psalm and canticles to fill out the service.
Great Music at Calvary is made possible by supporter contributions. All are welcome to this special event.
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Genesis Center Gala
St. Simon's, Buffalo - You are invited to our annual Gala on September 26 from 6-9pm at Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant, benefitting The Genesis Center of WNY and honoring FeedMore WNY.
For reservations, contact Marty Bensch 716-822-1901
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Rummage Sale
St. John's, Wilson - Join us on September 25 from 9am-5pm and September 26 from 9am-Noon for treasures galore!
Something for everyone...Come, shop & browse!
All items are free will offering!
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Harvest Happening
Christ Church, Lockport - Come one, come all on October 3 and enjoy soup, baked goods, and children's games from Noon-3pm.
A basket raffle will take place from 11;30am-2:30pm.
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Junior Martial Arts Classes
St. John's, Wilson - Starting October 9, ages 6-12 are invited to attend martial arts classes Friday at 6pm and Saturdays at 3pm hosted by St. John's.
Classes are $50/month.
Contact Dillon to join: 716-940-8024
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Holy Hikes
St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - Holy Hikes of Western New York, a ministry of St. Paul's Cathedral, is pleased to announce its full schedule for the 2026 season. All hikes are held on the second Saturday of the month at 10am, unless otherwise announced.
On October 10, we will hike at Heartland Forest Trail in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. We hike rain or shine. All are welcome; carpooling will be available from the Cathedral at 9:30am or you can join us directly at the appointed hike location.
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